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Monday, September 22, 2008

When Brian & I were first married, we spent 4 years together without kids. I have no idea what in the world we did with all that free time, but I do remember both of us sitting around all weekend asking, "So what do you want to do??"

"I don't know, what do you want to do??"

and so on, and so on....

I was thinking about this last night as I fell into bed at 10:30PM. We had no idea back then, just how much free time we had.

When my kids were little, it was so physically exhausting because they needed me 24/7. I always thought it'd be so much easier when they were older.....it's different, not necessarily easier. Now instead of physical exhaustion...the culprit is busyness.

Here is a recap of our weekend:

Friday:

I worked a little.

Went to the grocery store.

Made 12 dinners for a Dream Dinner swap.

Took Charlie to football practice & stopped to buy him a ticket to the Sock Hop on the way home.

Brian & Mike TV went to watch Veruka cheer at an away game.

I went back and picked up Charlie from practice.

Drove Charlie to Sock Hop.

Sat in silence all by myself for 1 hour!! :)

Bri came home & picked up Charlie from Sock Hop.

Saturday:

Helped Veruka with Car Wash signs.

Went to Mike's football game.

Left game and went to Veruka's Cheerleading Car Wash...stayed to help for an hour.

Drove Veruka home.

Went straight back to football field to watch Charlie's football game.

Came home & got changed to go out on a date with Bri....we saw Tropic Thunder.....very funny, if you like "stupid funny" movies.

Sunday:

Went to church.

Met friends for Dream Dinner's swap.

Went straight to both boys baseball tryouts...for Spring baseball.

Left in the middle of tryouts to drive Veruka home from her tumbling class.

Went back to finish watching tryouts.

Came home, picked up Veruka and went Homecoming Dress shopping. She got a dress & shoes that we both love!!

Had Bro-in-Law's fam over for cookout.

Sat on the couch for an hour & went to bed!!!

Here's what I didn't do:

1. Meet with our Community Group....thankfully, we were taking the week off.

2. Go for my long run Saturday.....I'm off to do that now!!

So, to those of you with young kids, my advice is cherish the time. It goes by so quickly. Before you know it, you start living your life in your minivan.....being the taxi driver!!

16
comments:

It's funny, I'm on the other end of that. Hubby and I have only been married a year, and we haven't started with kids yet. I often find myself sitting at home thinking, "wow, I have so much spare time!"

AMEN Sistah!! I don't even know the world of hurt I'd be thrown into on the schedule factor. I homeschool one and the other one goes to school so I've got my time spread between those two things as well.

once your daughter starts driving, things will get a little easier (physically, not mentally!). we had always told our kids they had to be 18 to drive but by the time they were juniors, I was driving sooo much we let our oldest get her permit at 16 and a half and that helped me out a lot when she got her license.

Just wanted to let you know that the time in the car is to cherish too. Now that 2nd my son will take off in his own car in a week or two, I'm realizing how much talking happens in the car. Teenagers tend to want to be left alone - but they have plenty to say in the car. I think it's neutral territory or something. :)

Oh I needed to hear that today. It's sooo hard when you are "in the thick of it". I've been my 3 yr old's shadow today...we are potty training...EEEEKKKKK!!! I know, this too shall pass :) RIGHT!??! I checked out your BIG hair! WHOA! That's impressive! Although, I still think I may win...dang it! If I could ever find that picture!!!! What a cutie you are (and were!)! Have fun "runnin' around...that too will pass and then WHAT will we do? sigh...makes me a little weepy :(

I am exhausted reading this. I know what you mean about cherishing your kids when they are little. I have really tried to focus on them during the day (no blogging) because they are just getting so big so fast and it makes me sad. I think I'm gonna cry thinking about it now...

About Me

Remember that feeling you got when you were a kid as you chased after fireflies? Freedom, laughter, awe...those are just a few of emotions that come to mind. Then we grow up. Along comes the husband, the kids, the job, the home, the sports practices and games, the bills and the busy-ness. Somehow those simple feelings of happiness and joy become elusive. Strangely, I've discovered that as I chase after these feelings one surprising thing consistently brings me to them. Serving others. God tells us in his word...Love God, Love One Another. Those 5 words sum up the Bible beautifully. My hope is that this blog will be a place of inspiration. So I'd like to invite you to join me as we chase fireflies together.